Easy Steps When Learning How to Play the Game of Golf


There are easier things than learning how to play golf. If you begin as a kid with a good teacher you have an advantage on the course. But the good news is that now isn't too late for the rest of us.


You too can learn how to play and hit the ball with a proper golf swing!


I will tell you a little bit about myself and the roads you shouldn't take if you want to learn how to play the game of golf as fast as possible. This will help you stay on track so that you will be able to hit the shots in a proper way and with a consistent swing as soon as possible.


Is golf hard to learn?


Yes. And no.


The beauty of the game is that you can play and compete with and against much better golfers and have a great time when doing so. You decide what a proper level of play is for you and that's the skill level you are aiming for.


Can you begin to play golf as an adult and reach the professional ranks? Probably not!


Can you learn how to play golf in a way that will let you enjoy the game for years to come? Definitely!


How do you golf for the first time?


The first experience with the game for many beginners is the driving range. This is a dedicated part of the practice area where you can hit shots with different clubs at your own pace.


Hitting balls at the range is an easy and fun way to make contact with the game. This is also a place you will return to many times over the coming years when you are practicing your skills.


Many places have a short course. Usually there's only par 3 holes on these courses and most often the course isn't in mint condition. But they are an easy and fun way to play your first rounds on and you most often don't have to know so much about the rules. (Just be aware of the safety regulations though.)


You can also take some swing lessons with your local golf coach. Most beginner golfers like to spend some time on the driving range first though.


Attend a group lesson if there is one close to you. These are usually fun and you are likely to meet a lot of new people that are just in the same situation as you are now.


How can I teach myself to play golf?


Yes, you can definitely teach yourself to play golf.


However, in order to teach yourself you gotta have some knowledge. This applies to everything you want to learn, you need to acquire that knowledge to get the ball rolling.


This is a stage that I got stuck in for a too long period of time. I spent hours at the range hitting balls, somehow hoping for a hallelujah moment where all the pieces in the swing sequence would fall into place.


That moment never came...


I would have been much better off, as a wannabe with zero golf knowledge, if I had begun to study the right books. I should have studied the swing fundamentals that stand the test of time. This I did not do. 


It wasn't until much later I learned which books I should have started to study first. I lost a lot of time here and that is something I will always regret.


If you are a person who likes to read, check out my book sections. There I have collected the books that I've liked and that are considered to be among the best in golf literature. Should you find a book on your journey that you think is a good match, please let me know because I would love to read it.


Reading is good because it gives you basic understanding about how to play golf. But you won't become a scratch player from reading about the golf swing.


How do I swing a golf club correctly?


Say you read a few books about the fundamentals of the golf swing sequence. Then I think a wise next step would be to sign up for one or more lessons with your local golf pro.


The more one on one lessons with a golf instructor you can take, the faster you can get going. Because if there is someone who can get you on the right track, it's your local golf professional.


But it's also a matter of money. Lessons cost money. And they should. It's how a professional makes a living and you will get good value for your money. 


It's actually kind of weird when you have read a book, practiced at the range and felt that now I got it! And then the coach twist and bend your arms and body and it feels all f***** up, but you get that moment of understanding and clarity and your mind understands that this is exactly how it should be done


"Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing."

- Ben Hogan


Take as many lessons as you can. If you feel that you can't take a lesson, you will still be able to become a good golfer. There are many more important things in life to put your money into than the game of golf.


Then we have all the swing tip clips on YouTube. If you don't like to read books, this is where you probably will make a short stop on your golf journey. I love reading books, but ended up watching YouTube clips too. For a while, before I stopped!


This is what I've learned:


  • Some swing tip clips on YouTube are good. Some are not. And even if the clip and tip are good, it probably won't help you to become a better golfer.


  • To become good at golf (and with that I mean being able to play at your desired level) you need both to understand how you should swing and being able to execute it on the course.


  • That you don't get good from random swing tips online.


How do you hit an iron for beginners?


However...


...there are good learning sources online where they help you with understanding the game and their swing thought all the way to the execution. They build you up with knowledge and drills and with your time commitment and practice you will (if dedicated enough) come out with a swing and iron game that will help you shoot the score you desire.


These learning courses are constructed in a way that takes you from the very beginning, step by step, to a proper swing sequence. The best of these are of course paid courses and they are a much cheaper alternative than one on one swing lessons with your local instructor. 


If you don't want to pay for golf lessons, I would recommend you signing up for these online golf lessons, because they can definitely help you become the golfer you want to be. 


Should you opt for the free alternative, make sure you get away from single sequence tips and take the time to watch a free online golf lesson that is put together as a beginner's course.


When you've gained some knowledge and understanding, you can begin to use video recording and analysis software. These often come in forms of apps. Have a friend record your swing. Then you can use the app to draw lines and other things to see your swing plane among many other details about your swing.


Then you got the driving range and the practice area. This is where you get to practice your technique and newly acquired golf skills. The more time  you spend here, the better you will become. It's actually quite easy to give yourself an advantage here, because most weekend warriors never do the driving range and practice area.



And then you gotta get out on the course to really learn how to play the game of golf...



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